Biography of Gae Aulenti

Gaetana ‚Gae‘ Aulenti is one of the most important architects and designers of the 20th century. Aulenti achieved international renown with projects such as the design of the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, France, the Christian Dior boutiques, the Palazzo Grassi in Venice, and the conversion of the Palacio Nacional de Montjuïc in Barcelona, Spain, into the Musée Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. Almost as an aside, the multi-talented Aulenti also designed lighting and furniture – now true design classics. Despite her diverse creative output and prolific output, Aulenti remains relatively unknown to the general public. TAGWERC brings the gifted, but to most people unknown, Gae Aulenti back to the design stage of the 21st century and gives the Italian designer and her designs such as Pipistrello and Ruspa by Martinelli Luce or Minibox and Trepiù by Stilnovo the attention they deserve.

Gae Aulenti, beginnings and training

Gaetana, nickname Gae, Aulenti was born on December 4, 1927 in Palazzolo dello Stella, Gae Aulenti was born in one of 134 municipalities in the province of Udine, in northeastern Italy near the Adriatic Sea. She was 13 years old when Italy entered World War II on June 10, 1940 – initially on the side of Germany. After the war, Aulenti began studying architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan, graduating with a doctorate in 1954. Gae Aulenti took what was denied to most women of her time: an academic education. She was well aware that she would need it to succeed in a male-dominated profession like architecture in the 1950s and 60s. In 2012, Aulenti told the newspaper Corriere della Sera: "Architecture is a man's profession, but I never paid attention to that."‚

Gae Aulenti, the graphic designer

Thus, the tomboyish-looking Aulenti plunged into the male-dominated world of work – especially in predominantly Catholic Italy. From 1955 to 1965, Gae Aulenti was responsible for the layout and redesign of the magazine "Casabella"; today, her role at Casabella would likely be described as that of art director. Casabella, an Italian trade journal focusing on architecture and ambitious product design, was published by the architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers during Aulenti's time. Publication ceased in 1965 but resumed in 1970 and continues to this day.

Gae Aulenti, the professor

Alongside her work at Casabella, Aulenti taught under Giuseppe Samonà (1898-1983) from 1960 to 1962. Samonà was director of the University Institute of Architecture in Venice from 1945 to 1972. Gae Aulenti was a member of the Neo-Liberty movement, the Italian response to the Art Nouveau era. The Neo-Liberty style, primarily evident in architectural designs and buildings, is also reflected in several of Aulenti's design projects. In 1964, the architect returned to the Polytechnic University, sporting a short haircut—this time not as a student. She taught there as a lecturer and professor until 1969.

Gae Aulenti, the designer

At the same time, Aulenti worked as an independent architect and designer. In 1965, she created the iconic Pipistrello lamp, which is manufactured under license by Martinelli Luce and available from TAGWERC. The same applies to the Ruspa lamp series from 1968. These were followed by the Trepiù (1972) and Minibox (1981) lamp series. Both Trepiù and Minibox were created in collaboration with the architect and Designer Piero Castiglioni, son of Livio Castiglioni and nephew of Achille Castiglioni. Both lighting series have been manufactured by Stilnovo since their inception and are available at TAGWERC. Aulenti's designs are part of the collections of major design museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

Gae Aulenti, the interior designer

Gae Aulentis is not only a successful designer but also an architect. Besides residential buildings, Aulenti designs schools and even landscape gardens. She gained international attention and recognition when she transformed the Gare d'Orsay train station in Paris into the Musée d'Orsay between 1980 and 1986. At the same time, the interior of the Centre Pompidou, Also in Paris, she redesigned and renovated the building between 1982 and 1985. In 1988, she undertook the renovation of the Catalan Museum in Barcelona, establishing herself as a specialist in the modernization of historic buildings. Aulenti is equally known for designing showrooms and commercial spaces, working for companies such as Christian Dior, Olivetti, and Knoll. She also designs stage sets and set designs for the theater director Luca Ronconi, including for La Scala in Milan.

Gae Aulenti, the pioneer

Throughout her life, Gae Aulenti held her own in the male-dominated world of architecture and design. Besides her remarkable sensitivity to historic buildings, which she modernized with great empathy and ingenuity, it is above all her design concepts that distill Aulenti's design language into small objects, making it accessible to design enthusiasts and connoisseurs within their own homes. On October 31, 2012, Gae Aulenti closed her eyes forever in her beloved Milan, leaving behind her unique legacy. Aulenti was not only resilient and assertive in her professional life. Her daughter Giovanna told the newspaper 'La Repubblica' after Aulenti's death: "My mother had been ill for a long time, but she fought against it as best she could."‚